One of the UK’s longest-running city half marathons, on a flat two-lap course through the centre.
The race
The Bath Half is usually held in the spring and is one of the biggest road races in the South West, drawing many thousands of runners and a great many more supporters. The course is a flat two-lap circuit through the city centre, which makes it popular for personal bests and unusually good for spectators – you get to see your runner twice without moving.
Dates move year to year. Check the official race site for the current date, entry arrangements and road closure details before making any plans around it.
For runners
Flat, fast and well supported. The two laps mean you know exactly what the second half holds, which some people love and others do not.
For supporters
A rare race where one good spot gets you two views. Pick somewhere with a cafe behind you and stay put.
For the group
Road closures reshape the city for most of the day. Assume you are walking, and plan where to eat afterwards in advance.
Race day logistics
Extensive road closures are in place through the morning and into the afternoon, and they affect getting into the city as much as moving around it. Arrive earlier than feels necessary, and do not plan to drive into the centre at all.
If your group includes both runners and supporters, agree a post-race meeting point well away from the finish area – mobile networks struggle under that many people in one place, and “I’ll call you when I finish” tends not to survive contact with reality.
Where to recover
Thermae Bath Spa is the obvious answer and books out early on race weekend. If you are staying in a house outside the city, a hot tub does much the same job with no booking required, which is one reason group bookings for race weekend tend to go that way.
Bath has a good spread of places to eat afterwards, but race day is one of the busiest of the year. Book a table before you book anything else.
Coming as a group?
Bath fills up fast around its big events. The houses nearby sleep fourteen to thirty-six, and every one has a hot tub.
When is the Bath Half?
Usually in the spring. The date changes annually – check the official race site.
Do roads close?
Yes, extensively, through the morning and into the afternoon. Plan not to drive in the centre on race day.
Is it a good spectator race?
Unusually good. The two-lap course means one position gives you two sightings of your runner.
Where can a large group stay?
City-centre accommodation is scarce and expensive on race weekend. Houses outside Bath sleeping fourteen or more are the usual answer for a team or a family group.